Alabama State Board of Education (ALSBOE)
Alabama House Rules Chair: Legislators to look at gambling, vouchers, workforce
The chair of the powerful Alabama House Rules Committee Wednesday said legislators would look at gambling, charter and voucher programs and the labor shortage in the legislative session scheduled to begin in February. Rep. Joe Lovvorn, R-Auburn, the chair of the House Rules Committee, told county commissioners and directors at the Association of County Commissions […]
Alabama educator prep programs work to improve literacy instruction
Educator preparation programs have reworked their approaches since a report from a Mississippi-based literacy organization made recommendations. The Barksdale Reading Institute, an organization with the goal of improving literacy in Mississippi, found that many educator preparation programs were not in compliance with the literacy instruction standards under Alabama law. While only seven schools had to […]
How Russellville City Schools saw a significant jump in reading proficiency
Teachers across Alabama teach students how to decode words every day. In Russellville City Schools, learners excel because of their teachers’ instruction. Under the Literacy Act, fully implemented for the first time this year, students must read on grade level by the end of third grade or risk being retained. The Alabama Reading Initiative awards […]
Two Alabama Board of Education incumbents not seeking re-election
Two incumbents on the Alabama State Board of Education will not seek re-election next year. Republicans Stephanie Bell, who represents the 3rd District and has sat on the board for nearly 30 years, and Belinda McRae, the 7th District candidate in her first term in office, are not listed on the ballot next year. Bell, […]
State: Seven Alabama teacher prep programs improve literacy instruction curriculum
Seven teacher preparatory programs in Alabama have come in compliance with the Alabama Literacy Act a year after being found outside of it, an official told the Alabama State Board of Education Thursday. The Barksdale Reading Institute, an organization dedicated to improving literacy in Mississippi, found last year that many of Alabama’s teacher preparatory programs […]
Former Rep. Charlotte Meadows to run for Alabama State Board of Education
A former state representative and Montgomery charter school board president has announced candidacy for a seat on the Alabama State Board of Education. Charlotte Meadows said in a statement Monday she would seek the Republican nomination for District 3 against incumbent Stephanie Bell. Bell, first elected in 1994, is the longest-serving incumbent on the board. […]
Summer reading camps are helping students, says Alabama Reading Initiative director
Summer reading camps are helping students make gains in literacy, the director of the Alabama Reading Initiative told members of the Alabama State Board of Education on Thursday. Bonnie Short, the director of the Alabama Reading Initiative, said that students who have been attending the Alabama summer reading camps have improved their reading, and not […]
Fewer than half of Alabama school buses have air conditioning
The Alabama State Board of Education may ask the Alabama Legislature for money to add air conditioning to state school buses, most of which lack it. At the September 14 Board meeting, members of the state Board considered asking for a one-time supplemental bill to add buses to districts most in need. “One of the […]
Alabama State Department of Education mulls additional literacy funding, loss of federal dollars
The Alabama State Department of Education could ask for money from lawmakers next year for reading support beyond third grade, to help with achievement and address an upcoming loss of federal funding. Members of the State Board of Education said during a presentation on the fiscal year 2025 budget Thursday that the department should be […]
In Sumter County, some welcome state takeover of local school system
Lillian Wideman sees the state takeover of Sumter County Schools as the result of problems being allowed to linger, and officials not always asking necessary questions. “I’m not saying you’re not questioning, but you’re not doing it to the point where you can see there are major errors and concerns that need to be corrected […]
Alabama State Board of Education approves takeover of Sumter County Schools
The Alabama State Board of Education Thursday authorized a takeover of Sumter County Schools, citing financial and personnel issues in the district. “My main hope is that the children of Sumter County will benefit from the support that will be provided,” said Tonya Chestnut, state district board member for Sumter, after the meeting. The Thursday […]
Alabama Republican Party bans AEA contributions in most school races
The Alabama Republican Party Saturday voted to ban some Republican school board candidates from accepting money from the National Education Association and affiliates like the Alabama Education Association (AEA). But the party’s governing body rejected a proposal to expand the candidates affected. The ban, proposed by Alabama Republican Party Chairman John Wahl, would apply to […]